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Judge sentences Tuttle

Judge sentences Tuttle

Jerry Tuttle is lowered into a Maury County Sheriff’s Department cruiser after his sentencing hearing Monday afternoon in Columbia. Tuttle was convicted on six counts and sentenced to 50 years in prison. (Staff photo by Chris Moorman)

Judge sentences Tuttle

Jerry Tuttle, a Culleoka farmer who was tried and convicted in October for drug conspiracy and money laundering, was given what his lawyer described as a virtual life sentence Monday afternoon.

The 65-year-old Tuttle was sentenced to serve 50 years in prison. His attorney, John Colley, said Tuttle will be eligible for release from prison in about 15 years, but at Tuttle’s age it doesn’t matter much.

“At 15 years, if you’re 65, that’s pretty much a life sentence for Jerry,” Colley said.

Tuttle was arrested on April 24, 2012 during a raid on his property at 4571 Dugger Road. During the raid, authorities seized numerous automobiles, several pieces of farm equipment, eight pounds of marijuana, 12 grams of cocaine and 22 firearms. Police also seized $1.1 million in cash that had been hidden in a metal ammunition can in the trunk of a Honda Civic.

A jury in October found Tuttle guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to sell or deliver 300 pounds of marijuana, conspiracy to money launder, money laundering and possession of firearms with intent to use them in the commission of a felony. He was also found guilty on one count each of simple possession of cocaine and simple possession of marijuana.

Maury County Assistant District Attorney General Brent Cooper said he thought the sentencing went well and hoped it served as an example to others in Maury County who might want to get involved with the drug trade.

“This sentencing should send a message to those looking to move large quantities of marijuana,” Cooper said. “This case showed the incentive is very good with them having a million dollars, but the stakes are OVERSET FOLLOWS:high.”

Colley argued during Monday’s sentencing hearing that Tuttle was only a “minor player” in the drug conspiracy and the $1.1 million seized was from actions that occurred well before the 2012 raid and fall outside the statute of limitations.

Maury County Circuit Judge Stella Hargrove disagreed with Colley. Hargrove said while the conspiracy was the orchestration of Tuttle’s son, Christopher, she had difficulty believing Jerry Tuttle had a small, or even non-existent, role in the entire operation.

Hargrove did acknowledge the state had not been able to place Jerry Tuttle at the scene of “drug transactions” during the three-day trail in October.

“However,” Hargrove said, “his farm … is in a remote area. Those bringing drugs into Maury County were being directed to this remote area, which was Mr. Tuttle’s farm.”

Jerry Tuttle told the court he made $40,000 a year cutting and baling hay. Hargrove said she had difficulty believing that was the only income the Tuttle family had, based on the list of seized vehicles and other property from the Tuttle’s six-acre residence on Duggar Road.

“It is difficult for the court to reconcile that was the only way he made a living,” Hargrove said.

Colley said after the sentencing he thought the sentence was just.

“I felt she was fair and did what the law required,” Colley said.

Cooper said the state was awarded the $1.1 million in addition to $150,000 authorities found in Davidson and Rutherford counties. Cooper and Colley both said a motion is in the court of appeals about whether the money should be given over to the state or back to the Tuttle family.

If the courts ultimately side with the state, Cooper said the money will be put back to solving more crimes.

“Has to be used for law enforcement purposes only,” Cooper said. “It will be divided among the agencies involved in the case, so one agency isn’t going to get a $1 million fallout.”

Jerry Tuttle’s wife, Tammy, was charged as part of the drug ring and had a mistrial in December. Her new court date is set for April. Christopher Tuttle is currently awaiting a retrial in federal court, Cooper said.

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